For a decade, CenterPoint Energy has sponsored the Texas Scholars program, a community-based curriculum for high school students coordinated by the Texas Business and Education Coalition. Employees and scholarship recipients from C.E. King High School (top) and Chavez High School (bottom) proudly show their awards.

Lucretia Ahrens, Corporate Community Relations manager, was the keynote speaker for two Texas Scholars award ceremonies this year. "Being a Texas Scholar means you have gone the extra mile to get a good education. It means that you took harder courses - particularly in math and science - so that you would be better prepared to go to college, to the military, or into the workplace, as well as to become an active, informed member of the community."

CenterPoint Energy employees and retirees presented medallions and $500 scholarships at the awards ceremonies. Along with participating school districts, contributions from foundations and corporations like CenterPoint Energy help the program continue to grow and expand.